Combination ironing-board, step-ladder, and drying-rack.



M. 1. SHACKMAN.

comammou momma BOARD, 2P LADDER, AND DRYING RACK.

' Arrucmou- JULY 15. ms. 1,302,862. Patented May 6, 1919.

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YERS co. Pnomurnm wnsnmcr M. 1. SHACKMAN. I COMBINATION IRONING BOARD, STEP LADDER, AND DRYING RACK.

PPuc/n'wu FILED JULY 15. m. 1,302,862, v Patented May 6, 1919.

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MATHEW J. SI-IAOKMAN, OF FLORA, ILLINOIS.

COMBINATION IRONING-BOARD, STEP-LADDER, AND DRYING-RACK.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MATHEW J. SHAQK- MAN, a citizen of the United States, residof Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Ironing-Boards, Step Ladders, and Drying- Racks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accjom panying drawings. e

This invention relates to an improved combination ironing board, step ladder and drying rack, and has for its primary object to provide a device whichmay be easily and quickly converted into any one of the three articles mentioned, and which is so constructed that when not in use the various parts can be compactly arranged so that the device may be stored in a relatively small space.

It is another and more particular object of my invention to provide improved means for mounting the ironing boardupon the ladder proper, means to normally urge the board to a position between the side rails of the ladder and within the plane thereof, a prop for the ladder pivotally connected to one end thereof, and means to coact with the ladder, the prop and the ironing board to retain the latter. in its operative position.

It is also one of the detail objects ofthe invention to provide a drying rack or frame pivotally connected to the ladderprop and movable, to an angular position with respect thereto, and means for retaining the rack in its folded or collapsed position upon the P p And it is finally a general object of the invention to improve and simplify theconstruction of devices of the above. character whereby the same are rendered very serviceable and convenient in practical use, strong and durable in construction, and capable "of.

manufacture at relatively small cost.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved construction, combination and arrangement of the several elements aswill be hereinafter more fully described, subsequently claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawingin which similarreference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:--:

Figure 1 is a perspective viewshowing the device arranged foruse as a ladder;

Specification of Letters Patent.

tudinal edges at points in spaced Patented May ,1919.

Application filed July 15, 1918. Serial N 0. 244,946.

Fig. 2 is a similar viewshowing the device arranged in position for use as a drying rack; ing at Flora, in the county of Clay and State Fig. 3. is a side elevation illustrating another arrangement of the device in the latter use thereof; a Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the relative arrangement of the parts when the ironing board is in use, the drying rack being shown folded against the prop;

Fig. 5is a side elevation illustrating still another arrangement of the device; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse section illustrating the manner of attaching the sleeve board to the ironing board. Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates the parallel side rails of the ladder proper, between which the spaced steps or treads 6 are suitably fixed. These ladder rails adjacent one of their ends and in the corresponding longitudinal edges thereof are notched, as shown at 7. t i

To the rails 5 of the ladder and inspaced relation to the notches therein, the props 8 are pivoted, as shown at 9. These props are likewise notched in one of their longithe pivots as shown at 10.. The pro s are rigidly ,connected to each other and raced at points by the cross bars or slats l1, and to the outer side of each prop adjacent its pivoted end a l1ook l2 is loosely connected. The bills of these hooks are adapted for engagement over the edges of the side rails 5 ii of theladder and beneath one of the steps or treads 6 thereof as clearly seen in. Fig. 1 of the drawing whereby relatively separatrelation to ing movement of the ladder proper and the props will be prevented in the useof the device. One of the cross bars 11 of the support is extended beyond the outer side faces of the props .8 and serves as a stop forthe side bars 13 of aldrying rack or frame which are pivoted, as at 14:, to the outer faces of the props 8. These side props 13 of the rack are connected by the cross bars or slats 15, upon which the articles to be dried are hung. The cross liars 11 of the props may also be used for a similar purpose. Upon one of these cross bars 11, a latch button 16 is pivoted and is adapted for engagement over the end slat or bar 15 of the drying rack to hold said rack in its folded or col lapsed position with relationto the props.

When the device is to be used as a drying rack, the parts are arranged as soon in either Fig. 2 or Fig. 3 of the drawing. The hooks 12 are first disengaged from the ladder rails,

and the props and ladder separated. A rodv or key 17 is engaged in the notches or recesses 10 inthe props 8 and the engagement of this rod upon the upper edges of the side rails of the ladder prevents the complete collapse of the ladder and props so that they will be retained in the relative angular positions indicated. The drying rack or frame is' ithen" misea'rrom its folded position upon the's'upport' to the angular position seen in Fig. 2. By simply inverting the device when'arraifged in this manner, the drying rack will" extend downwardly from the upper end portions of the props 8 and engageupon the floor. In either arrangement, the device will serve asa very convenient liolderpr rack for the garments or other articles to be dried.

Between the side rails 5 of the ladder, the ironing board 18 is pivoted at its wider end, as shown 19; This board is yieldingly urged to a position in parallel relation to the side rails of the ladder and between said rails by means of a leaf spring 20 which I is'fixed at one of its ends to one of the steps. or' treads of the ladder and bears against said board. In the use of the ironingbnard, the ladder proper audits props 8 are relatively disposed, as shown in Fig. l, and the ironing board islifted to a substantially horizontal position. A flat keyor rod 21 is then'engaged in the notches or recesses 7 on thle side rails of the ladder and upon the upper side of the ironing board atits pivoted'endpsaid bar contacting with the edges of the props 8. Thus, the ironing'board will be held in its operative position against the action of the spring 20 tends to return said board to its normal position with relation to the ladder.

. "The irpiiing board has a longitudinally entending slot 22 therein adjacentits pix oted end through which a T-shaped head 2%, provided one end of the sleeve board 23 is ad aptedto be inserted when said sleeve board is disposed above and at right angles'to the ironing board. After inserting the head 24; through said slot, the sleeve beard" may be turned to a position longitudinally of the ironing board so that said head'will then be disposed transversely [of th Si n: 22 beneath the board 18. The sleeve board is thus securely connected to the iron.-

bQard while atthe same time itmay be ql iickly removed therefrom when itsuse is 1101 d sired.

, Ifdesired, theironing board and clothes rack be arranged as seen in Fig; 5 of the'drawingwherein the ladder proper is disposed in an angular position at the edge of a table and the pivoted end of the ironing boardis engaged beneath. the table edge,

the props 8 having been raised lo an angular positlon extendlng over the table, said props 8 restln u 3011 the ed e of the table. The

a clothes hanging rack is then extended from with the additional notches or recesses 25 in which the rod or key 17 is adapted to be engaged to retain the hanger rack in its extended position. Thus, the articles after being ironed may be conveniently suspended from the transverse bars of the props and the rack.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction of the device and the several ways in which it may be used will be clearly and fully understood. When not in use, the props with the hanger rack collapsed thereon, may be folded'upon the side rails'of the ladder andthe several parts of the device thus very compactly arranged, the ironing board being wholly disposed between the ladder rails, Thus, the article can be packed away or stored in a relatively smallspace. Th ladder as well as its support and the hanger rack may be of any desired length and a greater number of the hanger bars may be provided than as herein indicated.

1. In combination, a ladder, props pivotally connected to the side rails of the ladder. at one of their ends, means on the props to coact with the ladder and prevent the separating movement of the props and ladder when disposed in angular positions with respect to each other, anironing board pivotally mounted at one of its ends between the ladder rails, and additional means simultaneously coacting with the props, the ladder rails, and the pivoted end of the ironing board to retain said board in an operativeangular position with respect:

to the ladder.

2. In combination, a ladder, an ironing board pivotally mounted between the ladder rails and foldable to lie in a planetherebetween, props pivotally connected to the ladder rails to, support the ladder in. position'for use, hooks attached to the props to engage the stiles off-one of the ladder steps and hold the partsagainst separating movement, said ladder rails being provided with notches in one of their ends. and a removable key adapted to be engaged in said notches above the pivoted end of the ironing board to hold said board in its operative pos tion.

Incombination, a ladder, props pivotally connected to the ladder rails to support the ladder in position for use, a drying rack pivotally connected to the props and foldable thereupon, said props being provided with notches in one of their longitudinal edges adjacent the pivots of the drying rack, and an additional key adapted to be engaged in said notches to retain the rack in an angular position with respect to the props.

4. In combination, a ladder, props pivotally engaged to the side rails of the ladder, an ironing board pivotally mounted at one of its end portions between the ladder rails,

MATHEW 'J. SHACKMAN.

Witnesses:

BEN. F. WINELAND, H. T. PATTON.

copies of this patent may be obtained for flve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. O." 

